Investigators believe impaired driving is the cause of an accident in Orcutt that left a man and a woman with serious injuries Saturday night.
The California Highway Patrol says the collision occurred near the intersection of Highway 135 and Union Valley Parkway. KSBY-TV confirms the collision took place sometime before 10:30 p.m. on July 2, 2022.
The CHP arrived on the scene to find a 1997 Nissan overturned off the roadway. A 75-year-old man and woman, both from Santa Maria, were rushed to Marian Hospital in Santa Maria with what were deemed major injuries.
The other vehicle involved was a 2007 Honda driven by a 62-year-old man from Lompoc. He was not injured. He was arrested for driving under the influence and causing injury.
DUI Accident Dangers in Santa Barbara County
Drivers on Orcutt roads may see a careless move by another motorist, but they probably won’t be able to spot an impaired driver until it’s too late. The reckless maneuvers impaired drivers make are often hard to avoid because they are so unpredictable.
The thoughtless act to take to the highway while under the influence of drugs or alcohol can put multiple drivers and passengers in harm’s way.
Drunk driving is a problem that’s only grown in the past three years in Santa Barbara County. Data from California’s Transportation Injury Mapping Network (TIMS) reveals that in 2019 there were 255 injury accidents involving drunk drivers. Those accidents led to 11 deaths.
In 2020, TIMS documented 220 drunk driving accidents with 11 fatalities reported. In 2021, there were 288 alcohol-related accidents and 7 fatalities.
These tragic numbers represent the victims who have lost their lives because of the careless choices of an impaired driver. They also signify the terrible cost that families and friends pay when a loved one is claimed in such a senseless accident.
A Word for DUI Accident Victims and Their Families…
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a car accident, you should be aware of the benefits available to you through an insurance claim. Financial support should be expected to help with every hospital bill and the income victims lose while missing time at work. Support is also available to families who have lost a loved one due to a DUI driver’s mistake.
You can read more about these cases on my page about car accident claims in Santa Barbara County.
